March 24, 2020

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

Much has happened in our country since my last communication and we continue to live and work in uncharted territory. Cities and states are taking further measures to limit human contact and slow the spread of COVID-19.  

Today, Harris County issued a Stay at Home order beginning at 11:59 p.m. tonight through April 3. What does this mean for us?

Similar to universities in other cities and states which are under Stay-at-Home order, the University of Houston is expected to continue its operations remotely. As a state public university, we also continue to seek guidance from state authorities and work with other state universities on how to safely fulfill our mission and continue to operate. With this in mind, please note the following:

• University of Houston will continue delivering instruction remotely, the process we began on Monday.  Faculty have transitioned thousands of courses online and will be flexible. Staff have been innovative in using new and creative ways to support students. And students have been diligent in shifting to the online platform. Together, we will make it work.

• A pass-fail option for this semester is currently under consideration by the appropriate faculty bodies. Any decision and details implementing it will be communicated before the end of the week.

• Student Housing & Residential Life remain open until the end of the spring semester, however we are encouraging students who can go home safely, to go home until the Stay-at-Home order is lifted. Additionally, students who have already planned to move out may still move out today. Check the COVID-19 website for more details.

• All UH locations will expand their social distancing efforts by reformatting programs and support services. It will involve less direct contact and more remote support. Check the COVID-19 website for more details.

This is an extraordinary time. Our own university community has confirmed two positive cases of COVID-19. In both cases, individuals had not been on campus and any person who may have been in contact with them has been notified.

Continue to check the COVID-19 website for updates and new information. Please take precaution and preventive measures whether you are 18 or 81. We are one connected piece of society’s make-up and only we can help control the spread in our community.

Thank you for being a resilient Cougar. We are all in it together and we will all pull through this together.

With warm regards,

Renu Khator